redistributive
UK[ˌriːdɪˈstrɪbjətɪv]US[ˌriːdɪˈstrɪbjətɪv]
adj
relating to or involving the redistribution of something, especially wealth or income, in a different and typically more equitable way.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
distributive
re
again
distributive
characterized by distribution
Etymology
the word 'redistributive' is a modern english formation built upon the older adjective 'distributive'. the core concept, 'distribute', originates from the latin distribuere, a compound of dis- (apart) and tribuere (to assign, grant). the prefix re- (again) was later attached, a common practice in english to indicate repetition or reversal. therefore, the literal morphemic logic is "characterized by distributing again." this term evolved specifically in economic and political discourse to describe policies or actions aimed at altering the existing allocation of resources, moving from a neutral act of division to one implying a deliberate, often socially-motivated, reallocation.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + distributive (characterized by distribution)
re: latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
distributive: from latin distributivus, from distribuere meaning "to deal out, divide up". the morpheme 'distribute' contains the sense of "to allot or spread out," and '-ive' is a suffix forming adjectives meaning "having the nature or quality of".
Examples
the government's new tax policy has significant redistributive effects.
critics argued that the welfare program was too redistributive and discouraged productivity.
a key debate in economics centers on the efficiency versus the redistributive goals of fiscal policy.